Animal lover launches pet sitting business

Beth Ann Kelley has worked with animals, such as her dog Harley, her entire life. Submitted photo

Holly Grove resident Beth Ann Kelley is no newcomer to pet care. Growing up in Pennsylvania, she said her family “had it all” in terms of the variety of pets they owned.

Currently, Kelley keeps nine rescue dogs at her house, which Kelley said she saved from unwilling owners. Ranging from a 10-pound beagle to a 100-pound redbone, Kelley’s love for animals has continued.

“I’ve been taking care of animals all of my life,” Kelley said.

All it took was a simple, reoccuring question from friends for Kelley to decide to turn her buddies into her business.

“My friends and family said, ‘Why don’t you try doing it for a living?’” Kelley said.

“She’s an animal lover,” said one of her customers, Eve Barenholtz. “She’s taken care of our dogs when we were out of town. She really cares deeply about animals. She’s just one of those people that will go the extra mile. She goes above and beyond and doesn’t think twice about it.”

Though she works for the offices of Lacy Lawn Care in Bumpass, Kelley said she has been able to dedicate plenty of time to her new endeavor. Kelley said she is willing to work in any type of situation, whether it’s taking dogs for walks or cleaning the stalls of horses.

“I just love animals,” Kelley said. “It’s natural to me. It’s not stressful. I enjoy it. At your job, you get worked up about silly stuff, with this, I don’t.”

To read the entire story, see the Nov. 28 edition of The Central Virginian.

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